A new ER experience for a new COVID reality

When emergencies happen, we’re here for you – even during a pandemic. We know that many of our friends and neighbors are feeling hesitant about coming to the emergency room during these times. Some believe it’s safer to stay at home than visit a hospital, but forgoing critical emergency care is dangerous.

That’s why we are urging our community to not delay their care. We are safe, open and ready for you.

You and your family can be assured that you’ll receive care in a safe environment when visiting our emergency rooms. Our team of expert clinicians has developed and implemented protocols to ensure our hospitals are sanitary and safe during this pandemic -- and we’ve done it without sacrificing the compassionate expertise you have come to expect when visiting an Adventist Health emergency room.

We have reimagined our emergency rooms to be even safer in this age of COVID-19 as you and your family receive the care you need. While each of our emergency rooms has initiated unique protocols appropriate to their patients’ needs, they all have adopted these important practices specific to COVID-19:

• Regular disinfecting of every area: Each waiting room, registration area and patient-care area is sanitized continuously day and night -- especially high-touch surfaces, such as countertops, seating and handrails.

• Social distancing: All our spaces have been reengineered to ensure patients can maintain at least 6 feet of distance in lobbies or registration areas. And while examinations can’t be performed at a distance, all doctors and nurses are fully trained in safety protocols, wear personal protective equipment, wash their hands regularly and change gloves before seeing each patient.
• Masking: Every individual entering our hospital must wear a mask.
• Limiting visitors: Visitor restrictions are in place to ensure we’re limiting potential exposure of germs.
• Entry screening: Everyone entering our facilities is screened for a fever and any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Designating COVID-19-specific waiting areas and exam rooms: We maintain a dedicated area of our emergency room for patients with respiratory symptoms or those who are suspected of having COVID-19. They are separated from other patients for the safety of our community.

Together, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Doing so involves being careful and consistent in the way we care for patients and the way we as a community care for each other by social distancing, masking and avoiding large gatherings. At Adventist Health, we’re proud to be your destination for that safe, compassionate care you deserve.